Chapter Text
"Robin? Are you around? I've got a question for you!" You called, roaming the newly-carpeted castle in search of a certain white-haired Tactician. A question had been brewing in the back of your mind for a while, and what better way to sate your curiosity than speak to one of the most intelligent magic-users you knew?
"I'm - nngh! Over here! Hnf!" Came the strained voice of the very man you sought, and you saw why his voice had taken on that particular quality as soon as you turned the corner.
"... Holy shit, dude, did you rob a library? Let me help you with those!" You surged forward just in time to prevent the insanely tall stack of books he carried from falling over, pulling some off the top to carry yourself.
"Ah, thank you so much! A few more steps and I'd have dropped them," he admits with an apologetic smile, brown eyes conveying a gentle gratitude. You pursed your lips and huffed. No amount of cute faces would free him from your ire!
"Yeah - on your head!! You're lucky I was looking for you, Robin, or you might've gone and bonked yourself a good one! You shouldn't be so reckless!" The scolding came a bit easier than intended - but, you decided, it wasn't exactly something the man didn't need to hear... Even though the ashamed dip of his head and kicked-puppy expression have you mentally gnawing on the last of your self-control, you maintain your authoritative posture and stand firm. Mostly.
"You're right, of course. I'm sorry if I worried you - what was it you wanted to see me for?" He can see through your 'authority' well; you were concerned, of course, and he'd be the first to admit that he had some... Reckless tendencies.
The look on your face softens, and Robin finds himself able to breathe again.
"Oh, that. I had a question for you - do you have to study magic somewhere, or... Does everyone have magic in them?" You ask, following Robin back to the map room where you can deposit the books. "It's been bugging me for weeks now. Would someone like me be able to do magic?"
Robin sets his books next to the map and frowns thoughtfully, giving you an appraising look.
"Well, it's true that studying magic makes you more skilled with its usage, but some people - not all, but some - have a natural talent for magic within them. Would you be interested in learning, then?" He asks slowly, and you can see the curiosity creeping onto his face. He looks eager, and you're not certain whether to be comforted or rendered a small pile of nerves.
"Yeah. Can we start with something simple? Like Fire. Teach me how to do fire. There isn't exactly any magic in my world aside from in fiction, and... I wanna try it." You exhale shakily - nerves were winning. Robin gives you what you're certain is supposed to be a comforting smile, but you just know he's been waiting for an opportunity like this, somehow. A way to see what all the people of your world can do.
"Of course! Come on, let's go to the practice range. It's normally quiet this time of day, so you needn't worry about anyone else's spells. Or arrows. ...Or Dragonbreath." He ushered you along with such barely-contained enthusiasm that you couldn't contain a soft laugh, his hand pressed firmly between your shoulder blades.
As Robin said, the range was fairly empty - A few Archers stood by chatting as they stowed away arrows. Virion was speaking to a very sour-looking Takumi, arms waving in a theatric performance to accompany what was surely some overblown escapades. Takumi looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else.
You were snapped out of your people-watching by a thick book gently thumping into your chest. Grasping it with a small grunt, you peered down as Robin flipped the tome to what he deemed an appropriate page.
"Here. Read these lines - focus on the little spot inside of your mind where Fire resides. Think on it. Embrace it. Let your emotions build the spell." He stated plainly, doubtlessly thinking himself a completely clear instructor. Unfortunately, you had *no fucking clue* what he was talking about. A place inside you where Fire resides? What the actual hell sort of metaphysical mumbo-jumbo was that?! You scrunched your nose as you stared at the page, and held your hand out expectantly, balancing the tome in your other hand.
...
Nothing.
"Okay, let's try a different approach. Close your eyes. Picture a spark." The Tactician encouraged, voice gentle. You pursed your lips and did as you were told, picturing a tiny spark. A flash of light as flint strikes rock.
"Okay... I see it. Now what?" Your brows pinch, and Robin takes note that your 'focused' face is actually quite adorable. Like a kitten trying to be fierce.
"Imagine nurturing it. Helping it grow into a flame." He instructed, trying not to smirk. This was serious stuff - he shouldn't be picturing teaching a kitten magic.
Unfortunately, your brain went 'tiny fire? NO. MAKE BIGGER,' and that is how you ended up launching a massive pillar of fire from your open palm.
You yelped, Robin yelped, Takumi yelped, Virion gave an undignified little shriek, and approximately four dummies were singed by your unintentional furious rampage. Also, the range was partially on fire.
"Holy shit!! Did I just- did that just- that came out of me?! Robin. ROBIN." You panic, dropping the tome and gesturing emphatically towards what looks like the reckoning of the Fire Nation upon a small cadre of innocent training dummies.
Robin, however, was not only *unfazed* by the sudden column of flames apart from his surprised shout, but looked like he hadn't seen anything as magnificent as that in literal years.
"That... That was incredible!! Who knew you had so much potential in you? Let's do this again tomorrow! We'll start on a training regimen and run you through drills every day!" He chimed, looking at you with the most hopeful caramel-brown eyes you'd ever seen.
"B-but... But, Robin. Fire. The range is on fire." You protest weakly, sweeping your arms in the direction of the small blaze. "Do you really want this happening EVERY DAY?"
This, at least, seemed to give him pause. After a few moments, you see him beam happily at you.
"Well... The potential danger to the dummies is worth having a Summoner that can defend themself, don't you agree? Not that us protecting you is a bad thing, but... Should you ever find yourself in trouble and without us, you'll have a way to fight back." He reasoned. "Besides... You should see what the Dragons do, if you think this is bad. This'll only be our third time replacing the range-"
"Third?!" You interrupt, eyes blown wide.
"-this week." Robin finishes, a wry smirk overtaking his features. Your jaw drops.
"O-oh. Oh. Okay. Gotcha. But still. I just... And then..." Your fumblings make the Tactician laugh, a warm hand finding its way to your shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"Yes, and now it's on fire, but it's okay. We'll take care of it, and the flames won't go far anyway. We made sure things were relatively dragon-proof, so a little magical fire won't hurt too much." Robin reassures you as best he can, noting with some pride that you seem to be relaxing. Honestly, he would have loved to pry into your brain and figure out how you were different, how you managed to turn a spark into an impressive calamity, but you had freaked out so hard that calling attention to your power seemed... Almost cruel. And he couldn't bear to be cruel to you.
Finally, you exhale, watching the flames shimmer and die down as the preset defenses took hold of the spell you'd cast. A good thing, too - what was power without control? It was good news for you that Robin didn't want to do a field test; you'd probably have burned down a whole village on your own, and Askr was still trying to recover from Múspell's destructive campaign at the hands of Surtr. They needed no more chaos.
"Okay. Okay, I think I'm alright." Your voice is shaky and uncertain (fuck you, voice), your legs feel like rubber (fuck you, legs), and you've got a headache (fuck you... Blood vessels). The Plegian breaks away from you for a moment to get you a small skin of water, which you chug eagerly.
"Ugh, why do I feel so tired now?" Your tongue tasted like paper, your body wanted rest... It was like you'd just run a marathon. You were absolutely exhausted, and felt certain that you could sleep for several days on end.
"You used up too much energy casting that spell, that's all. It's not surprising your stamina is so low - a blast like that, and from a beginner! I'd be surprised if you could move at all tomorrow. Cecilia is going to love you." The Tactician grinned at you, and you felt your body slowly morph into something resembling a wet noodle as you sank to the ground. Oh, God. Formal training.
Well... You supposed you did ask for it.